Services and Programs

Food and Financial Assistance

WE PROMISE FULL CONFIDENTIALITY FOR ALL REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE

Kosher Food Pantry and Food Vouchers

JFCS stocks a kosher food pantry (Ohel Avraham—the tent of Abraham) at its Princeton location which is available to those in need of non-perishable food (pastas, cereals, canned vegetables, tuna etc).  JFCS also can provide supermarket food vouchers to supplement the pantry with fresh food.  For information regarding the pantry, contact David Speer at (609) 987-8100 ext 118 or email davids@jfcsonline.org.    

For a list of acceptable Hekshers (Kosher symbols), click here. 

"You shall not pick your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger." - Leviticus 19:10

Financial Assistance with Jewish Holiday Celebrations

When needed, JFCS can provide individuals and families with financial and other assistance to enable them to celebrate the Jewish Holidays, including Rosh Hashanah, Hanukah and Passover.   For further information, contact Linda Meisel at (609) 987-8100 or email lindam@jfcsonline.org.

Scholarship Financial Assistance for College Costs and Trips to Israel

*College Costs - Scholarship Application
Book Awards—Offered by the Jewish Community Foundation,these are need-based book awards, ranging in amount from $250-$1000 per year.  Applicants must be residents of the Princeton Mercer Bucks community and must be accepted and enrolled in a college or university for the fall semester.  Application process is facilitated by Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County.
Application Deadline: May 30th

Melvin Kushner Memorial Scholarships—Scholarship Application
This is a need-based scholarship, in the amount of $1000 for one year, awarded annually by the Abrams Foundation to a Jewish undergraduate student residing in the Princeton Mercer Bucks Community.
Application Deadline: May 30th

Esther Wollin Memorial Scholarship Award— Scholarship Application
This is a need-based scholarship awarded to a Jewish female student raised by her mother in a single parent household and who is attending or planning to attend Rutgers University.  The applicant must be a resident of the Princeton Mercer Bucks community.  The scholarship award is for $2500 per semester.  For further information, contact Regie Roth at (609) 987-8100 or email regier@jfcsonline.org.
Application Deadline: May 30th

*Trips to Israel - Scholarship Applications
JFCS administers another program for the United Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks which provides scholarships for trips to Israel for students from eighth grade through college who reside in the Princeton Mercer Bucks community and based on need. For further information, contact Regie Roth at (609) 987-8100 or email regier@jfcsonline.org.

Hebrew Free Loan Society - Loan Application

JFCS administers this joint program with the Jewish Community Foundation to provide non-interest bearing loans for various purposes in amounts up to $3,000 to Jewish residents of the Princeton Mercer Bucks community based on need and the ability to repay such loans.  Repayment terms are flexible but are generally made monthly over no more than a three-year period.

The Hebrew Free Society continues a centuries-old tradition of self-help within Jewish communities both in Europe and the United States.  By providing interest-free loans to those who cannot qualify for loans from regular sources, the Hebrew Free Loan movement has lived up to its view that the highest form of tzedakah is to help someone, temporarily in need, to become self-sufficient. For further information, contact Debra Levenstein at (609) 987-8100 or email debral@jfcsonline.org.